So, you left the Watchtower.................but.........did it leave you? (page 2)

Greybeard

Thats how I do it, ONE DAY at a time....

designs

You know they also have a 'plan' on what to do each day

I personally can read several different conspiracy theories on the same subject and accept that each may be only part true. This is especially true on the dollar--I understand that, when you print money, it soon loses value. And, at some point, people lose faith in it--hyperinflation results. And, each time they dodge it, they make an even worse crisis at some point in the future. Already I see examples--Zimbabwe, Cyrpus, and Greece are examples of what might come. But, as new information comes, that could cause me to adjust my viewpoint in light of such. Not so when it comes from the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger.

Of course, as a jokehovian witless, I would be inclined to complain and then do nothing. Complain that gas is getting too expensive, then waste more gas in field circus. Complain about high prices, then cut back on your income and waste funds on Worldwide Pedophile Defense Fund donations. Complain that the environment is a mess, then continue polluting by wasting gas, and not doing a damn thing to recycle anything or buy better quality so I use less. Complain about the cheap crap found in stores, then refuse to buy expensive merchandise that is going to last because of some flimsy excuse. To me, it is when you complain and moan, then do nothing to alleviate your exposure to the situation, that you venture into stupidity.

And I accept that I don't have all the answers. I am learning, and I can practice while integrating new things. At present, I know about moon signs, void of course moon, and waxing/waning moon--but need to integrate that with the other aspects (such as when it is sextile Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the sun, Venus, and so on). And I still need to work on integrating astrological apsects so the effect of something can be enhanced (or killed, as if I ever get dragged back into the jokehovian witless fold). But, it doesn't mean I know nothing because I can't understand what one planet quincunx another means--I can still work around what I do know until I can master another aspect. Ditto other aspects of magick, soul development, and so on.

And yes, I feel it acceptable to not have all the answers or even to be able to piece it all together. The Jesus and joke-hova paradigm is easy to learn, easy to become complacent with, and difficult to let go of. Left hand path religion, on the other hand, is full of pieces and workings--and there is no joke-hova to lean on. With Satan, you have to actually learn things yourself so you can empower your soul. And that is work, and much learning that can take decades. It isn't all done for you as with joke-hova. Thus, ignorance is fine--stupidity, on the other hand (willful disregard for what you already know or reasonably should know), is not.

Tameria2001

What you said is very true. Even though I left the Watchtower, know that it is a evil cult. It is nothing more than a publishing company who has free labor to do it's bidding, and I hate it with every fiber of my being. I grew up in that cult, and I also had a very abusive father, he was never a JW, but the abuse started up when mother became a JW. I grew up nearly every day being told that the end was near, and looking forward to it. It was not because of all the people that would have been killed, but the thought of being reunited with my sister who was murdered.

Even after leaving, there are still things that hang on, even though I don't want it to. I don't know if I will ever be really free of everthing that was drilled into my head, but it is something that I'm always working on.

Simon

I've had situations where what I think and how I have been conditioned to react over 30+ years have been in conflict.

It's hard to stop the 'feeling' you get even when you know it's wrong and not what you believe.

Also, tough to explain to people but worth it. Fortunately, friends know the reaction isn't what you intend and is just something you can't help.

BluesBrother

"8.Do you feel like unless you understand everything---you understand nothing? Avoid Black and White choices. Explore the middle ground in most things. Allow moderation into your life. Relax and give yourself permission to simply ask questions and be ignorant for awhile."

I like that. The great luxury of coming out of the Borg is to be able to say "I don't know" " I am open minded about that right now"

This contrasts with having to ask yourself "What do The Society say about that issue" and then repeating it, whether,deep down, you agreed with it or not

Tater-T

I left the WT .. and it did not leave me ...

I had to remove it ..

It wasn't easy...

ABibleStudent

Hi Terry, Interesting insights and comparison to a foriegn culture. I like your ideas about excercising, and reading with an attitude of learning instead of justifying a superior attitude. Reading books by psychologists (i.e., Steve Hassan) about high-control groups should be on the top of any reading list of exJWs.

I'm curious why you did not include two of the WTBTS's biggest taboos: becoming politically active and participating in charity organizaitons? Both of those activities provide a lot of opportunities to meet new friends with similiar interests to hopefully overcome the WTBTS's indoctrination of do not associate with non-JWs.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

fresh prince of ohio

6.How do you actually FEEL? Do you feel at all? Or, is there a vague sense of doom floating around you because you once KNEW EVERYTHING and it was ALL TRUE? Absolute thinking is a drug. Just like any street drug. You will have withdrawl. Expect it.

Every time I see a Climate Change doom/gloom headline, I'm right back to JW mentality: humanity is doomed without divine intervention. Only of course now I'm not expecting any divine intervention.

So what do i do? You know, the climate change stuff IS pretty scary! I haven't learned yet how to effectively deal with the reality that we humans may very well indeed be doing ourselves in with our addiction to activities that are significantly altering the composition of our atmosphere.

How do I accept this possible reality and yet not be paralyzed by fear and hopelessness? Climate Change is just one of many that gets me every time. By nature I'm a fearful person, and its fearfulness that made me such a easy fish for the JWs to reel in.

It's interesting to see how apocalypticism is becoming part of popular culture. A headline from (satirical news website) The Onion from a few months ago: "Future warlord of what was once Nebraska born in Omaha hospital".

Heaven

I'm here aren't I?

I was a born in so as long as I have my mental faculties, it will never leave me. It was how I was raised. But what I can do is identify it, analyze it, and make consious choices about how I am going to react and use it.

My Father is suffering from dementia. He was not a born-in. It does not appear that his JW beliefs are there anymore. There does seem to be some semblance of religious/Christian sparks as he will sometimes attend religious services at his nursing home but he does not preach nor talk at all about any of the JW stuff anymore.

So, you left the Watchtower.................but.........did it leave you?